May 25 - Star Wars opens in theaters and becomes the highest-grossing film of the year. The film revolutionizes the use of special effects in film and television production. It also embraces the notion of omitting any sort of opening credits sequence. Lucas, told by the Screen Actors Guild that he must have an opening credits sequence, instead distributes the film independently, sans the opening credits. The film's release is often considered one of the most important events in the film history.

November 16 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind opens to widespread critical acclaim and massive box office success, becoming one of the top-grossing films to date and cementing Steven Spielberg's status as one of the most talented and profitable film directors of all time.

The average price of a movie ticket in the United States is about $2.25.